Joey Fatone will join the cast of & Juliet, the show’s producers announced Tuesday, marking the NYSNC star’s return to Broadway after two decades.
Fatone will play Lance in the Tony-nominated musical, debuting Jan. 21, 2025 for a nine-week run that will last until March 16. Fatone, a founding member of NYSNC, is also a frequent collaborator of songwriter and show producer Max Martin. He will take over the role from Tony Award-winner (and original Broadway cast member) Paulo Szot.
“I’m excited that I’ll be joining the cast of & Juliet!,” Fatone said in a press release. “I can’t wait to get out there and sing Max Martin’s amazing songs — his hits have shaped so much of pop music. And yes, I know I’ll even be singing a couple of Backstreet Boys songs. Even though my loyalty remains with NSYNC, they still have bangers. See you at the show!”
& Juliet flips the script on the Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn’t ended it all over Romeo and got a second chance at life and love. The modern retelling is delivered through a playlist of pop anthems, which include several hits from the Backstreet Boys, including “Larger Than Life,” “I Want It That Way,” “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” The show also features “It’s Gonna Be Me” by NSYNC.
Fatone last appeared on Broadway in 2004, when he played Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. He had previously also played Mark in Rent in 2002.
Beginning October 27, the Broadway company of & Juliet will include Maya Boyd, Alison Luff, Drew Gehling, Liam Pearce, Michael Iván Carrier and Jeannette Bayardelle. Nathan Levy will join the company on Nov. 19. Gabe Amato, Daniel Assetta, Reese Britts, Nicholas Cooper, Charli D’Amelio, Jhailyn Paige Farcon, Makai Hernandez, Najah Hetsberger, Joomin Hwang, Khailah Johnson, Elsa Keefe, Alaina Ví Maderal, Daniel J. Maldonado, Alejandro MullerDahlberg, Ava Noble, Cassie Silva, Darien Van Rensalier and Romy Vuksan complete the cast for the show’s third year on Broadway.